Israeli, Palestinian MPs have duty to stop attacks and protect civilians in region

IPU is calling on both sides to end the air and rocket strikes that are having such a devastating impact on civilians. ©Reuters/A. Awad

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is urging both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to stop the air and rocket attacks immediately and prevent further loss of civilian life.

The Organization is also calling on Israeli and Palestinian Members of Parliament (MPs) to take whatever action is necessary to end the violence that has led to the deaths and injuries of several hundred and the displacement of thousands of civilians in the region.

As elected representatives of the people, MPs from both sides are duty bound to put the protection of civilians as a first priority. That entails oversight of governments to find appropriate legal solutions to problems instead of resorting to conflict as an immediate course of action.

Parliaments similarly must ensure the actions of their governments conform to international standards and agreements.

IPU Members also adopted a resolution in 2013 on enforcing the responsibility to protect and parliament’s role in safeguarding civilian lives.

The Organization is urging Israeli and Palestinian MPs to engage in a dialogue that can act as a first step help end the current crisis. In the longer term, it can also act as a building block to finding a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

IPU remains committed to lending its support to both sides in this endeavour and to helping establish trust and confidence between them if progress is to be made on bringing peace to the region.

Reiterating its belief that violence only perpetuates violence, IPU is again urging restraint from both parties involved in the conflict.